ISLAMABAD:The National Assembly Standing Committee on Power Division, Wednesday, unanimously recommended the passage of two government bills aimed at strengthening the country’s power sector regulatory framework and discussed a range of issues related to electricity transmission, load management and infrastructure development.
The committee, which met at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Acting Chairman Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, confirmed the minutes of its previous meeting held on February 17, 2026, said a press release.
The Committee considered The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (Government Bill) and The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (Government Bill). After detailed deliberations, the Committee unanimously recommended that both Bills be passed by the National Assembly.
The Power Division informed that the proposed amendments were primarily procedural and technical in nature and intended to align the legislation with administrative requirements.
The Committee then considered and adopted the report of the Sub-Committee convened by Babar Nawaz Khan, MNA, with the recommendation that its findings and recommendations be forwarded to the Power Division for necessary action.
Presenting the report, the Convener highlighted issues relating to the proposed 132 KV Haripur-II Grid Station and informed the Committee that, based on the technical assessment reviewed by the Sub-Committee, the project site should be shifted from Sarai Saleh to Padhana, Haripur.
He stated that several meetings and a site visit had been conducted, during which a number of irregularities were identified. It was observed that the establishment of the Grid Station at Sarai Saleh was not technically feasible, whereas Padhana was considered a more suitable location.
The Convener emphasized that relocation of the project would reduce costs and conform to the technical and regulatory findings presented before the Sub-Committee.
He further informed the Committee that approximately 0.5 million people would benefit from the proposed Grid Station at Padhana and that the land acquired at Sarai Saleh could be utilized by HAZECO for other purposes. He also presented a video showing the present condition of the Sarai Saleh site, where little or no construction activity was evident. In addition, he highlighted the need for installing approximately 100 transformers to provide three-phase electricity in areas currently receiving two-phase supply.
The Additional Secretary, Power Division, informed the Committee that a survey would be conducted and a detailed report submitted in the next meeting.
The Committee also discussed the adjustment of employees of Generation Companies (GENCOs) in various Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and recommended that, as far as possible, employees be accommodated in the nearest distribution companies according to their domiciles.
The Additional Secretary, Power Division informed the Committee that any unauthorized upgradation granted to GENCO employees by distribution companies would be investigated and appropriate action taken against the responsible officials. Consideration of the agenda item regarding the upgradation of the 132 KV Patan Grid Station, Kohistan, was deferred.
The Committee discussed issues relating to Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) and decided that the following matters be included in the agenda of its next meeting: (i) detection charges imposed by SEPCO; (ii) electricity theft by small industrial units; (iii) theft of conductors and transformers within SEPCO’s operational jurisdiction and measures for its prevention; and (iv) priority repair and renovation works.
The Committee further deliberated on issues relating to transmission infrastructure, load shedding, and the proposed establishment of a 220 KV Grid Station in Larkana and adjoining areas. It recommended that the next meeting consider: (i) overloading of high-transmission-line circuits affecting Larkana, Kamber, and Shahdadkot districts, resulting in excessive load shedding and power outages; (ii) the status of the proposed 220 KV Grid Station at Larkana; (iii) replacement of deteriorated transmission-line conductors; (iv) installation of three 250 MVA, 220/132 KV power transformers; (v) construction of a 220 KV double-circuit transmission line from Shikarpur to Larkana; (vi) provision of a 132 KV transmission link for Larkana and adjoining areas; and (vii) measures for voltage profile improvement and enhancement of power evacuation capacity.
The Committee recommended that feeder-wise details of load shedding, electricity theft, and tariff rates in HESCO and SEPCO be provided in the next meeting in accordance with the provisions of the NEPRA Act. It also recommended that the Chairman, NEPRA, be invited to brief the Committee on the applicable regulatory framework and the prevailing load-shedding situation in the country being carried out by distribution companies.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan, Raja Qamar-ul-Islam, Chaudhary Naseer Ahmed Abbas, (via video link); Mr. Muhammad Shahryar Khan Mahar, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Syed Waseem Hussain, and Mr. Sanjay Perwani. Senior officers from the Power Division, Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Finance Division, HAZECO, and PPMC were also in attendance.